Sour Crop?

[Paul Wagland]

Have any of you birdy types come across this delightfully-named affliction?

One of our chooks (Daisy) has been looking decidedly unwell for a day or two and a quick Google has led me to wonder if this is the cause.

She started laying soft-shelled eggs a while back, then stopped laying altogether (we posted about this at the time, and thought perhaps it was just because she was moulting). She has since started to stay still for long periods, often with her eyes closed.

I gather sour crop (a bacterial infection of the crop) can do this, and is often caused by excessive eating of lush grass (which she does love). It should make her breath smell bad, so I'll check this in the morning. Does anyone have any other ideas...?

I can see a trip to the vet coming on!

[Eyren]

Hi Paul - sorry to hear about Daisy

I've heard of it, but not had a hen with it. Is her crop swollen? Does it feel soft, like a water-filled balloon? See this thread on the Omlet website for lots of useful info on symptoms and home treatment (you'll have to scroll down to find the section on crop problems):

Omlet UK | Forum | View topic - Infections, other than worms

If the symptoms don't match, I would get her to the vet's asap - chickens tend to hide illness for as long as possible, so prompt action is required.

[MadamJoJo]

Whenever any of my girls are looking under the weather, I give them a syringe full of cod liver oil too......works wonders, but may be psychosomatic as they probably hate the stuff and can't bear it a second time !!!

[Paul Wagland]

Thanks for the tips guys. Daisy doesn't have a soft or swollen crop, or bad breath...

We took her to the vets yesterday and they think it might be a viral infection. She is very thin (hasn't had a chance to put on any weight since leaving the battery farm) so is at risk of starving if she goes off her food for long.

We are feeding her banana-flavoured nutrient supplements (complan - it's for OAPs really) mixed with antibiotics and various other tonics and potions. She won't eat, so we have to put a tube down her beak three times a day and syringe the food in!

Touch and go at the moment

[yoanbob]

bless, good luck paul.

[Eyren]

Fingers crossed for you both, Paul - I lost a couple of chickens when I first started out to a similar thing - the weather was very hot that summer and they dehydrated too quickly

[Birdie Wife]

Sorry to hear Daisy isn't well, best wishes for you all.